Trenching exposures of the surface rupture of 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake,China: Implications for coseismic deformation and paleoseismology along the Central Longmen Shan thrust fault

The May 12, 2008, Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake was induced by failure of two of the major faults of the Longmen Shan thrust fault zone along the eastern margin of Tibet Plateau. Our study focused on trenches across the Yingxiu–Bichuan fault, the central fault in the Longmen Shan belt that has a coseismic surface break of more than 200 km long. Trenching excavation across the 2008 earthquake rupture on three representative sites reveals the styles and amounts of the deformation and paleoseismicity along the Longmen Shan fault. Styles of coseismic deformation along the 2008 earthquake rupture at these three sites represent three models of deformation along a thrust fault. Two of the three trench exposures reveal one pre-2008 earthquake event, which is coincident with the pre-existing scarps. Based on the observation of exposed stratigraphy and structures in the trenches and the geomorphic expressions on ground surface, we interpret the 2008 earthquake as a characteristic earthquake along this fault. The interval of reoccurrence of large earthquake events on the Central Longmen Shan fault (the Yingxiu–Beichuan fault) can be inferred to be about 11,000 years according to ¹⁴C and OSL dating. The amounts of the vertical displacement and shortening across the surface rupture during the 2008 earthquake are determined to be 1.0–2.8 m and 0.15–1.32 m, respectively. The shortening rate and uplift rate are then estimated to be 0.09–0.12 mm/yr and 0.18–0.2 mm/yr, respectively. It is indicated that the deformation is absorbed mainly not by shortening, but by uplift along the rupture during the 2008 earthquake.     

Surface deformation related to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake,and mountain building of the Longmen Shan,eastern Tibetan Plateau

The 12 May 2008 M_s 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake, China, was one of largest continental thrusting events worldwide. Based on interpretations of post-earthquake high-resolution remote sensing images and field surveys, we investigated the geometry, geomorphology, and kinematics of co-seismic surface ruptures, as well as seismic and geologic hazards along the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. Our results indicate that the Wenchuan earthquake occurred along the NE–SW-trending Yingxiu–Beichuan and Guanxian–Anxian faults in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. The main surface rupture zones along the Yingxiu–Beichuan and Guanxian–Anxian fault zones are approximately 235 and 72 km in length, respectively. These sub-parallel ruptures may merge at depth. The Yingxiu–Donghekou surface rupture zone can be divided into four segments separated by discontinuities that appear as step-overs or bends in map view. Surface deformation is characterized by oblique reverse faulting with a maximum vertical displacement of approximately 10 m in areas around Beichuan County. Earthquake-related disasters (e.g., landslides) are linearly distributed along the surface rupture zones and associated river valleys.The Wenchuan earthquake provides new insights into the nature of mountain building within the Longmen Shan, eastern Tibetan Plateau. The total crustal shortening accommodated by this great earthquake was as much as 8.5 m, with a maximum vertical uplift of approximately 10 m. The present results suggest that ongoing mountain building of the Longmen Shan is driven mainly by crustal shortening and uplift related to repeated large seismic events such as the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Furthermore, rapid erosion within the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt occurs along deep valleys and rupture zones following the occurrence of large-scale landslides triggered by earthquakes. Consequently, we suggest that crustal shortening related to repeated great seismic events, together with isostatic rebound induced by rapid erosion-related unloading, is a key component of the geodynamics that drive ongoing mountain building on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.     

The geological background of the May 12, 2008 Ms 8.0 Wenchuan catastrophic earthquake,Longmen Shan,Western China

The Longmen Shan fault zone is located at the particular boundary between the Triassic Songpan-Ganzi orogen of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the stable Sichuan basin of the Yangtze platform. There are four major active faults and three tectonic nappes in this region. According to an analysis of neotectonics and historical earthquakes, the Longmen Shan fault zone presents a high level of seismic hazard. The rupture system that hosted the Wenchuan earthquake is characterized by thrust and dextral strike-slip movement.     

Analysis of the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake’s Co-seismic Stress and Displacement Change by Using the Finite Element Method

The variation of in situ stress before and after earthquakes is an issue studied by geologists. In this paper, on the basis of the fault slip dislocation model of Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake, the changes of co-seismic displacement and the distribution functions of stress tensor around the Longmen Shan fault zone are calculated. The results show that the co-seismic maximum surface displacement is 4.9 m in the horizontal direction and 6.5 m in the vertical direction, which is almost consistent with the on-site survey and GPS observations. The co-seismic maximum horizontal stress in the hanging wall and footwall decreased sharply as the distance from the Longmen Shan fault zone increased. However, the vertical stress and minimum horizontal stress increased in the footwall and in some areas of the hanging wall. The study of the co-seismic displacement and stress was mainly focused on the long and narrow region along the Longmen Shan fault zone, which coincides with the distribution of the earthquake aftershocks. Therefore, the co-seismic stress only affects the aftershocks, and does not affect distant faults and seismic activities. The results are almost consistent with in situ stress measurements at the two sites before and after Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake. Along the fault plane, the co-seismic shear stress in the dip direction is larger than that in the strike direction, which indicates that the faulting mechanism of the Longmen Shan fault zone is a dominant thrust with minor strike-slipping. The results can be used as a reference value for future studies of earthquake mechanisms.     

龙门山造山带早期断裂活动的古地震制约——来自汶川科钻(WFSD)岩心的证据

强地震是断裂活动的表现形式,可以诱发地表沉积层序顶部未固结的软沉积物发生变形,形成新的变形层(即震积岩***)。因此,在连续沉积剖面中赋存的多层震积岩应是断裂活动的直接证据。川西前陆盆地中的软沉积物变形记载了龙门山断裂带的活动信息,对认识龙门山造山带演化历史具有重要意义。本文通过"汶川地震断裂带科学钻探"一号孔(WFSD-1)和三号孔(WFSD-3)连续岩心剖面的岩性分析和构造研究,识别出11段不同深度的液化角砾岩层,它们是地震触发成因的软沉积物变形岩层。11个液化角砾岩段厚度从~20m至102m不等,分布在晚三叠世须家河组二-五段。这些液化角砾岩层记录了龙门山前陆盆地形成过程中晚三叠世断裂活动特征及趋势。这些厚度不等的震积岩粗略指示约2~20万年的地震活动长周期(地震幕),以及约4至70万年的间震期(地震幕的间隔时间),反映了龙门山断裂早期脉动式(幕式)活动特征。从不同段液化角砾岩层分布间隔规律来看,地震活跃期间隔(即间震期)越来越短,显示龙门山造山带断裂活动越来越强的趋势。结合前人地表软沉积物变形研究,我们认为龙门山造山带在晚三叠世经历了多期次的正断-逆冲活动的造山作用(至少经历14个地震活跃期),形成龙门山雏形及前陆盆地。     

龙门山地震带的地质背景与汶川地震的地表破裂

龙门山位于青藏高原与扬子地台之间, 系由一系列大致平行的叠瓦状冲断带构成, 自西向东发育汶川茂汶断裂、映秀北川断裂和彭县灌县断裂,并将龙门山划分为3个构造地层带,分别为变形变质构造地层带（主要由志留系泥盆系浅变质岩和前寒武系杂岩构成）、变形变位构造地层带（主要由上古生界三叠系沉积岩构成）、变形构造地层带（主要由侏罗系至第三系红层和第四纪松散堆积构成）。 龙门山断裂带属地震危险区,3条主干断裂皆具备发生7级左右地震的能力,其中映秀北川断裂是引发地震的最主要断层,据对彭县灌县断裂青石坪探槽场地的研究结果表明,在该断裂带上最晚的一次强震发生在93040a.B.P.左右,据此,可以初步判定,这3条主干断裂的单条断裂上的强震复发间隔至少应在1000a左右,表明龙门山构造带及其内部断裂属于地震活动频度低但具有发生超强地震的潜在危险的特殊断裂,以逆冲-右行走滑为其主要运动方式。 汶川地震属于逆冲走滑型的地震,地表破裂分布于映秀北川断裂带和彭县灌县断裂带上。根据近南北向的断裂（小鱼洞断层、擂鼓断层和邓家坝断层）和地表断距可将映秀北川断层的地表破裂带划分为两个高值区和两个低值区,两个高值区分别位于南段的映秀-虹口一带和位于中北段的擂鼓北川县城邓家坝一带;两个低值区分别位于中南段的白水河茶坪一带和北段的北川黄家坝至平武石坎子一带,两个高值区分别与小鱼洞断层和擂鼓断层相关。根据保存于破裂面上的擦痕,可将该地震破裂过程划分为两个阶段,早期为逆冲作用,晚期为斜向走滑作用,其与地壳增厚构造模式和侧向挤出摸式在青藏高原东缘的推论具有不吻合性。鉴于龙门山的表层运动速率与深部构造运动速率具有不一致性,初步探讨了龙门山地区的地表过程与下地壳流之间的地质动力模型,认为下地壳物质在龙门山近垂向挤出和垂向运动,从而造成导致龙门山向东的逆冲运动、龙门山构造带抬升和汶川特大地震。在此基础上,根据汶川地震所引发的地质灾害,对地震灾后重建提出了的几点建议。     

四川汶川5.12大地震同震滑动断层泥的发现及意义

2008年汶川8.0级地震沿龙门山断裂带内的映秀—北川断裂和灌县—安县断裂产生了近300 km的同震地表破裂带。震后地质科学考察发现地表变形以逆冲为主,并伴有右旋走滑。地震地表破裂带大多沿古生代碳质泥岩、页岩和三叠系煤系地层内的滑动面出露地表,这些软弱地层为地震破裂带冲到地表提供了超低摩擦滑动带。我们发现在同震垂直和水平位错达6m左右的地表破裂带,地震的同震滑动发生在厚度约0.5~2cm 的狭窄滑动带内,以发育新鲜的灰色断层泥为特征,这些断层泥是地震断层快速滑动过程中岩石—流体相互作用的结果。     

汶川地震的发生对周围断层稳定性影响的数值模拟

大地震发生后, 研究地震的发生对周围断层的影响尤为重要.利用川西-藏东地区三维粘弹性有限元模型,考虑地表高程和粘弹性松弛等因素的影响,研究主要断裂带库仑应力累积速率和汶川地震的发生对周围断层的影响.结果表明:(1)龙门山断裂带年累积速率为0.28×10-3~0.35×10-3 MPa/a,这种较小的累积速率与龙门山断裂带强震较长复发间隔一致;(2)汶川地震的发生除造成震源区应力减小外, 还造成断裂带北东段不同程度的应力增加, 这与震后余震的分布基本吻合;(3)鲜水河断裂北西段、东昆仑、龙日坝、岷江以及虎牙断裂库仑应力水平增加显著,且汶川地震对于玉树地震的发生有微弱的加载效应;(4)汶川地震的发生造成鲜水河断裂带强震复发间隔缩短约52~104 a,是值得关注的强震危险区.      

Influence of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (Mw 7.9) on the occurrence probability of future earthquakes on neighboring faults

The Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault are two major neighboring faults of the Longmen–Shan fault zone where the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (M_w 7.9) occurred. To study the influence of the Wenchuan event on these two active faults, we calculate changes of Coulomb stress on the Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault caused by the Wenchuan mainshock. Our results indicate that the Coulomb stress in the northern section (Zone A) of the Longquan–Shan fault is increased by 0.07–0.10 bars, that in the middle section (Zone B) by 0.04–0.11 bars, and that in the southern section (Zone C) shows almost no change. For the Huya fault, the Coulomb stress is decreased by 0.01–0.03 bars in the northern section (Zone A), 0.10–0.35 bars in the middle section (Zone B), and nearly 0.5 bars in the southern section (Zone C). The epicenter distribution of small earthquakes (M_L ⩾ 1.5) on the Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault after the Wenchuan earthquake is consistent with the distribution of the Coulomb stress change. This implies that the Wenchuan earthquake may have triggered small events on the Longquan–Shan fault, but inhibited those on the Huya fault. We then use the rate/state friction law to calculate the occurrence probability of future earthquakes in the study region for the next decade. They include the distribution of b-values, magnitude of completeness (M_c), the background seismicity rate, a value of Aσ_n and the duration for the transient effect (t_a) in the study region. We also estimate the earthquake occurrence probabilities on the neighboring faults after the Wenchuan earthquake. Our results show that, the occurrence probability of future earthquakes in the Longquan–Shan has a slight increase, being 7% for M ⩾ 5.0 shocks during the next decade, but the earthquake probability in the Huya region is reduced obviously, being 5–20%, 7–26% and 3–9% for M ⩾ 5.0 shocks during the next decade in sections A, B and C of the Huya fault, respectively.     

龙门山中央断裂北川－邓家一带古地震初步研究

龙门山断裂带是否存在类似汶川5.12大地震的地质记录,是地震科学工作者所关注的科学问题之一。处于中央断裂带中段和北段分界地区的北川－邓家一带,古地震研究对认识整个龙门山断裂带的大地震复发特征有重要意义。沿北川－邓家地震地表破裂带,可能有过早期活动,并兼顾是否有较多细粒第四纪沉积物,以便能较清晰地分析、判断古地震事件以及采集测年样品,所以我们在沙坝1组、和尚坪和邓家海光6组等3个地点开挖了4个探槽,并进行了断错地貌的实测,发现了该地区明显的古地震遗迹,以及该地区特殊的正断层地表破裂样式。通过探槽和实测地貌情况与前人在龙门山中央和前山断裂带的古地震研究结果的对比分析,结果显示该地区至少发生过两次地震事件(包括5.12地震事件在内),与龙门山中央和前山断裂大部分地点已揭露的古地震事件相吻合。而通过对该地区地貌侵蚀特征与地震陡坎的高度变化分析,可以得出该地区之前的地震事件与5.12地震的大小相近。     

Structural geometry and deformation mechanism of the Longquan anticline in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt,eastern Tibet

The 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake is a consequence of ongoing India-Tibet collision and reflects the growth of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. In this paper, we present new constraints on the deformation mechanism of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt, by comparing the physical models to the example of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. The result indicates that the deformation mechanism of the belt is mainly dominated by the pre-Sinian layer, whereas locally is controlled by the Lower Triassic layer, such as the Longquan anticline. In addition, we discuss the deformation style of the Longquan anticline various along strike, based on the seismic reflection data, interpretations of structural cross-sections and field observations, as well as physical modeling. The sandbox modeling suggests that the deformation of the central segment of Longquan anticline is likely controlled by higher displacement rate, higher erosion and lower sedimentation, which is in contrast with the southern and northern segment. Moreover, the structural geometry of the central segment of Longquan anticline is more complex than the end-member models of fault-related folds, which is mainly controlled by pure-shear wedge fault-bend fold and bounded by west-verging thrust fault.Combining the studies of the structural geometry, deformation mechanism, and previous studies, we infer that the Longquan anticline is active and potentially seismogenic. Therefore, a quantitative re-evaluation of seismic hazard in Longquan anticline and adjacent area directly beneath the densely populated Sichuan basin is urgently needed.     

Deep Background of Wenchuan Earthquake and the Upper Crust Structure beneath the Longmen Shan and Adjacent Areas

Abstract: By analyzing the deep seismic sounding profiles across the Longmen Shan, this paper focuses on the study of the relationship between the upper crust structure of the Longmen Shan area and the Wenchuan earthquake. The Longmen Shan thrust belt marks not only the topographical change, but also the lateral velocity variation between the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. A low-velocity layer has consistently been found in the crust beneath the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, and ends beneath the western Sichuan Basin. The low-velocity layer at a depth of ~20 km beneath the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau has been considered as the deep condition for favoring energy accumulation that formed the great Wenchuan earthquake.     

Deep Background of Wenchuan Earthquake and the Upper Crust Structure beneath the Longmen Shan and Adjacent Areas

By analyzing the deep seismic sounding profiles across the Longmen Shan,this paper focuses on the study of the relationship between the upper crust structure of the Longmen Shan area and the Wenchuan earthquake.The Longmen Shan thrust belt marks not only the topographical change,but also the lateral velocity variation between the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin.A lowvelocity layer has consistently been found in the crust beneath the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, and ends beneath the ...     

芦山地震的红外增温异常分析

地震三要素的短临预测对抗震减灾意义重大,但实现的难度很大,仍是个世界难题。笔者应用卫星红外异常增温时空演变规律对2013年4月20日芦山地震作了研究,并在2013年4月21日全国天灾预测委员会学术研讨会上作出了分析。文中简要剖析了芦山地震的构造背景和成因机理。芦山地震是我国西部地震构造区新发生的MS 7.0级大地震,其成因同汶川地震相似,主要受到印度板块NE向对青藏地块推挤,南北压缩挤出断块向SEE滑动,受到四川盆地以西龙门山断裂带强烈阻挡,积能释放后发震。文中重点介绍了红外增温时空演变规律进行短临地震预测的过程。震前红外增温异常的动态变化是地震构造活动的反应,时间上一般经历初始增温-加强增温-高峰增温-衰减到发震的4个阶段。     

量子地震模型:对汶川地震的解释

从大量的地震参数分析可知,在由同一主震引发的所有的余震发生的位置都不同。在发生地震之前,地震的震中位置都是一些相互独立、互不连续且发生了弹性应变的单元个体,笔者称这些独立不连续的弹性应变单元称为应变量子。综合前人研究成果,笔者建立了一个地震模型。运用该模型对2008年5月12日发生在中国汶川地震作了解释:由于在龙门山断裂带周围形成了许多的应变量子,这些应变量子的形成阻碍了龙门山断裂的运动,产生滑移亏损,从而造成在地震前测量到的龙门山断裂带速度场变化很不显著。2008年5月12日14时28分时,在龙门山断裂周围已形成应变量子中的其中一应变量子最先达到它的最大储能,释放它所储存的应变能,引发了汶川Ms8.0地震。此次地震产生的地震波引发了龙门山断裂周围地壳应力的重分布,使得其他应变量子提前达到最大储能,释放出能量,于是触发成千上万次余震。此外,我们或许可以通过观测断裂滑移速率的变化情况来预测断裂周围应变量子的形成,从而来预测该断裂是否存在潜在地震的可能。     

Along-strike topographic variation of the Longmen Shan and its significance for landscape evolution along the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Regional topographic and geomorphic analyses reveal first-order topographic variations from high-elevation and low-relief interior plateau to the relatively low elevation, high-relief marginal plateau in eastern Tibet. Field investigation and slip distribution modeling after 2008 Ms. 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake indicate significant along-strike variability during the rupture that appears to correspond to different segments of a single fault system. This observation motivates a more careful examination of topographic features along the Longmen Shan to explore the connection between the seismic cycle and mountain building. Analyses of topographic relief, hillslope gradient, and channel gradient indices reveal significant differences in the character of topography along the Longmen Shan mountain front. The central portion of the range exhibits the highest slope, relief and steepness of river longitudinal profiles. Whereas the southern Longmen Shan exhibits only subtle differences associated with slightly lower hillslope and channel gradients, the northern Longmen Shan is characterized by topography of significantly lower relief, lessened hillslope gradients, and low-gradient channels. We consider two explanations for these topographic differences; first, that the differences in topographic development along the Longmen Shan reflect different stages of an evolutionary history. Alternatively, these may reflect differences in the rate of differential rock uplift relative to the stable Sichuan Basin.     

四川汶川Ms 8.0级地震同震变形特征和分段性

汶川地震发育2条地表破裂带,一条沿中龙门山活动断裂带分布,另一条沿前龙门山活动断裂带分布,前者长超过200km,后者长约80km。同震变形在地表表现为逆冲膝折带,走向N45～60°E,形成公路路面隆起和农田陡坎。逆冲膝折带西北侧抬高,东南侧下降。在剖面上冲断带倾向北西,倾角50～60°。膝折带两侧相对高差沿映秀－北川断裂一般为2.5～3.0m,沿都江堰－汉旺断裂为1.5～1.1m。沿中龙门山活动断裂带,同震变形运动方式具有明显的分段性,映秀－擂鼓镇段,表现为逆冲,走滑现象不明显;北川－青川段既有逆冲又有右旋走滑分量。沿前龙门山活动断裂带,同震变形运动方式主要表现为逆冲,走滑位移和分段性不明显。     

龙门山南段构造变形及应力序列

2008年5月12日的汶川大地震表明龙门山断裂带仍然是一个构造活动带,为达到防震减灾的目的,对龙门山进行深入研究显得非常必要。作者通过龙门山南段的怀远和雅安两条实测构造地质剖面,应用传统的构造解析法,结合构造带的分带讨论思想,对野外实测的褶皱、节理和断层等构造变形要素进行综合分析,确定出各构造带的变形和应力序列。中央断裂带构造变形次数达10次以上,其中以NW-SE向逆冲最多,部分为左旋逆冲或右旋逆冲。滑覆体构造变形序列达5次左右。前山断裂带的构造变形序列较少,约5次以上。     

Thermochronology of the Longmen Shan seismic fault and its implications for faulting activities.SCIEI北大核心CSCD

中生代和新生代多期次的新老构造活动叠加造成了龙门山现今地震频发和复杂的构造格局。沿2008年汶川地震断裂带出露有多种断裂岩组合,为直接开展断裂带热年代学研究提供了重要素材。本研究首次尝试针对映秀-北川断裂带出露的假玄武玻璃开展^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar年龄的多重扩散域(MDD)模拟研究。与钾长石相似的阶梯状上升的年龄谱图表明假玄武玻璃同样具有开展MDD模拟的应用潜力。模拟结果显示,映秀-北川断裂带分别经历了~230Ma和~180Ma起始的构造热事件,对应青藏高原东缘中-晚三叠世统一的挤压造山运动和造山后的伸展垮塌。断裂带内新获得的断层角砾岩磷灰石裂变径迹(AFT)结果与上、下盘已有结果共同组成了较为完整的年龄-高程剖面,揭示出年龄拐点出现在~13Ma,位于~1100m的海拔高度,与热历史反演结果一致,对应映秀-北川断裂带的出露位置,直接证实断裂活动在中中新世以来龙门山的隆升过程中发挥了重要作用。进入中中新世以来,龙门山断裂带的快速剥蚀和地温梯度的显著降低很可能暗示了构造活动机制上的重要转变。     

活动断裂的变形特征及其大地震复发周期的估算

活动断裂是晚更新世10～12万年以来一直在活动.现在正在活动,未来一定时期内仍会发生活动的各类断裂.活动断裂控制着大地震的发生,是不同类型地震的发震构造.从活动断裂的变形特征来看,不同性质的活动断裂具有不同的发震构造模型,研究这些问题对认识强震的发震条件,划分潜在的震源区或地震危险区,评估发震构造和发震地点具有重要的意义.基于国内外对不同类型活动断裂的认识,结合近10年来在青藏高原地区对活动断裂的研究,总结了活动断裂的基本变形特征和对大地震复发周期估算的认识.研究表明.东昆仑断裂库塞湖段类似2001年Ms 8.1级大地震的强震复发周期为250～350年,阿尔金断裂康西瓦段类似Ms 7.4级大地震的强震复发周期为370～500年.而在青藏高原东缘的龙门山地区,类似2008年5月12日Ms 8.0级汶川大地震的强震复发周期为3000～6000年.这些结果可能暗示着走滑断裂大地震的复发周期远短于逆冲断裂大地震的长复发周期,这是值得高度重视和深入研究的新课题.